Ground-Mounted Solar Panels: The Complete UK Guide

As the UK continues its push toward cleaner, renewable energy, more property owners are turning to solar power as a long-term solution. While rooftop solar is the default option for many, there’s a powerful alternative that’s often overlooked: ground-mounted solar panels.

At Low Energy Services, we specialise in designing and installing high-performance solar panel systems, including both rooftop and ground-based solar panels, for domestic and commercial clients. Whether you’re a farmer with acres of unused land, a business seeking an efficient energy system, or someone whose roof isn’t ideal for solar, solar panels for ground installation could be the perfect fit.

In this detailed guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about ground-mounted solar panels. Whether you’re searching for a commercial solar installer, comparing ground-mounted solar panels vs. roof-mounted, or curious about how much space they need, this guide has you covered.

Solar Ground Mounted System for Hospital in Scotland

What Are Ground-Mounted Solar Panels?

Ground-mounted solar panels are solar PV systems installed directly into the ground rather than onto rooftops. They’re secured to mounting structures that hold the solar panels at the optimal tilt and orientation to capture the most sunlight possible.

Unlike roof systems, solar panels on the ground aren’t restricted by the shape, slope, or shading of your building. This makes them ideal for installations where space is plentiful but the roof isn’t suitable, such as farms, business parks, rural homes, and some schools.

These systems are also easier to access for cleaning and maintenance, and thanks to better airflow around them, they often operate at a lower temperature, improving solar panels’ efficiency.

Can I Just Lay Solar Panels on the Ground?

It’s a fair question; if you’re thinking about saving costs, you might wonder if simply placing panels on the ground will work. Technically, yes, but practically, it’s far from ideal. Here’s why:

Performance Loss:
Laying panels flat on the ground exposes them to more dirt, water pooling, and uneven sunlight exposure. Panels perform best when tilted toward the sun at around 30–40° in the UK, which you won’t achieve by laying them flat.

Higher Maintenance Needs:
Ground-level placement without a mounting system makes your panels magnets for mud, grass, leaves, and even pests. They’ll need cleaning far more frequently to maintain output.

Damage Risk:
Without elevation, your panels are vulnerable to being stepped on, chewed by animals, or damaged by gardening tools and machinery.
Better Option: Proper Solar Ground Mount Installation

Using professionally designed mounting systems gives your solar panels for ground installation the support, elevation, and angling they need for peak performance and long-term durability.

Types of Ground-Mounted Solar Panels:

Choosing the right mounting system is essential. There are several types of ground-mounted solar panel systems, each suited for different environments and needs:

Standard Ground Mounts (Fixed-Tilt Systems):

This is the most common and affordable option. Panels are attached to metal frames driven into the ground or secured with concrete bases.

Best for: Homes or businesses with moderate land space.
Pros: Affordable, simple to install, very durable.
Cons: Panels remain at a fixed angle, so less sunlight is captured in winter.

Pole Mounts (Single Axis or Dual Axis):

Panels are mounted on tall poles, either one large array per pole or multiple panels per row. These can be fixed or fitted with motors to follow the sun’s path.

Best for: Areas with limited ground space or where snow/vegetation is a concern.
Pros: Adjustable height, better sunlight tracking, less land shading.
Cons: More expensive, requires maintenance of the tracking system.

Tracking Systems (Active Solar Trackers):

These premium systems automatically rotate panels throughout the day for maximum sun exposure.

Best for: Large commercial sites seeking maximum energy yield.
Pros: Up to 30–40% more power generation.
Cons: Expensive, mechanical parts need regular checks.

Ballasted Mount Systems:

Used where ground penetration is not possible (e.g., landfill sites or concrete surfaces). Panels are weighted in place using heavy materials.

Best for: Temporary or sensitive sites.
Pros: No digging required, relocatable.
Cons: Requires very flat surfaces, less stable in strong winds.

solar inverter for ground mounted solar panel

How Are Solar Panels Installed on the Ground?

Installing a ground-mounted solar panel system involves a well-planned process. Here’s what it typically looks like:

Site Assessment:

Starts with a detailed analysis of your land. We evaluate:

Sunlight exposure: Are there nearby trees, buildings, or other obstacles?
Terrain: Flat land is ideal, but we can also work with slopes using engineered racking.
Soil Conditions: Some ground types may require concrete foundations rather than driven posts.
Proximity to grid connection: The closer the system to your meter box, the less expensive the cabling will be.

System Design:

Engineers then design a customised solar panel system. This includes selecting the best solar panels, determining orientation and tilt, and calculating expected energy output.

Foundation & Mounting:

Depending on your site, engineers then install either driven steel posts or concrete footings to support the framework. The mounting structure is then assembled and aligned to the correct angle.

Panel & Inverter Installation:

Once the team prepares the structure, they install the solar panels, wire them, and connect them to an inverter, which converts the solar power into usable electricity.

Testing & Connection:

Finally, the system is tested and connected to your property or the national grid. At Low Energy Services, we handle every stage of your solar panel installation, ensuring compliance with UK regulations.

Things to Consider Before Installing Ground-Mounted Solar:

Before committing to a solar panel system installation, here are important factors to weigh:

Available Space: You’ll need a decent amount of open space, free from the shade and easily accessible for installation and maintenance. This is why ground mount solar panels UK are particularly popular for rural homes, farms, and commercial estates.
Planning Permission: While smaller systems often don’t need approval, larger installations may require it. If you’re in a conservation area or near a listed building, regulations may be stricter.
As an experienced commercial solar panel installer in Scotland, we handle all planning permissions and compliance paperwork for you.
Soil Type & Drainage: Heavy clay or loose soil can make installation more challenging and may require special foundations. We assess these factors during our site visit.
Security: Since ground arrays are accessible, security fencing or cameras may be advisable, especially for commercial solar panel installations.
Future Land Use: Think about whether the area might be repurposed in the future. Once installed, your panels should ideally stay in place for 25+ years.

Ground-Mounted Solar Panels vs Roof-Mounted

Let’s take a closer look at how the two systems compare:

Efficiency:
Ground-mounted panels can be tilted and positioned at the perfect angle to the sun, ensuring maximum exposure year-round. Roof systems depend on your existing structure, which may not be ideal.

Cooling & Airflow:
Ground-based solar panels benefit from better airflow underneath, helping them stay cooler and operate more efficiently, especially in summer.

Maintenance:
Need to clean your panels or inspect wiring? Ground-mounted solar systems make it far easier. No ladders required.

Cost:
Ground-mounted solar panels are generally more expensive upfront due to additional materials and groundwork, but they often yield better performance in the long run.

For many of our clients, especially those in rural areas, ground-mounted solar panels UK offer unmatched control, scale, and long-term value.

How Do They Work?

Ground-mounted solar panels work just like rooftop PV systems:

Solar radiation hits your PV panels UK
Sunlight is converted to DC electricity
An inverter converts DC to usable AC
AC powers your property
Excess power is stored in batteries or exported to the grid

Simple in concept, powerful in practice.

How Much Do Ground-Mounted Solar Panels Cost in the UK?

Cost varies based on system size, land preparation, and component choices. Approximate UK prices:

Small (3–5kW systems): £8,000–£12,000
Medium (6–10kW systems): £12,000–£20,000
Large-scale / commercial: £25,000 and up

Remember, these prices typically include solar panels, inverters, mounting, cabling, labour, and VAT. As a trusted solar panel installer in Scotland, we offer no-obligation site assessments and guide you through available solar panel grants and financing schemes.

How Much Space Do Ground-Mounted Solar Panels Need?

Here’s a rule of thumb:

1kW = roughly 7–8 square metres of space

So a:

4kW system needs ~30 m²
10kW system needs ~75–80 m²
50kW+ commercial system may need 350 m² or more

Additional space is required between rows to prevent self-shading. Our team will create a precise layout based on your land.

Do Ground-Mounted Solar Panels Need to Be Close to My Property?

They don’t have to be, but they should be within a reasonable distance.

The further your ground-mounted solar panel array is from your fuse board, the more expensive and inefficient the cabling becomes. If the distance exceeds 100 metres, we may need to upgrade to thicker cabling to prevent energy loss.

For remote commercial or farm sites, our engineers design efficient layouts that keep performance and cost balanced.

Do I Need Planning Permission for Ground-Mounted Solar Panels?

In most cases, the authorities consider smaller domestic systems as ‘permitted development’, so you won’t need planning permission if:

The array is no taller than 4 metres
It’s less than 9 square metres in area
It’s over 5 metres from the property boundaries
Your property isn’t in a conservation area or listed
Larger systems (including most commercial solar installations) usually do require planning permission.

How Long Do Ground-Mounted Solar Panels Last?

Most panels last 25 to 30 years, often longer.

Panel performance degrades slowly—about 0.3–0.5% per year
Inverters typically last 10–15 years and can be replaced
Mounting systems are built to last 30+ years with minimal upkeep

We only install Tier 1 best solar panels, tested for UK weather, with full manufacturer warranties and post-installation support.

Pros & Cons of Ground-Mounted Solar Panels

Pros:

Optimised performance: Adjust angle and direction for maximum sunlight.
No roof limitations: Perfect for buildings with poor orientation or limited space.
Easier maintenance: Access your solar panel systems without scaffolding.
Scalable: Ideal for larger solar panel installations, especially in commercial setups.

Cons:

Requires land space: Not ideal for small urban plots.
Higher upfront cost: Includes foundation and racking systems.
Planning permission: May be needed for larger arrays.

Wrapping up…

From remote farms to city outskirts, ground-mounted solar panels give you flexibility, performance, and long-term energy savings. At Low Energy Services, we’ve helped hundreds of UK clients transition to clean energy with custom-designed, expertly installed systems.

Looking for a commercial solar installer in Scotland or just exploring your options? Let’s talk.